Open Marine Archive

Dauwe, S.

Pirlet, H.

Verleye, T.

Devriese, L

Lescrauwaet, A.-K.

Mees, J.

 39 
The Compendium for Coast and Sea  
Dauwe Steven, Pirlet Hans, Verleye Thomas, Devriese Lisa, Lescrauwaet Ann-Katrien and Mees Jan 
Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), InnovOcean site, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Ostend, Belgium  
E-mail: steven.dauwe@vliz.be  
 
The disclosure of scientifically-underpinned and up-to-date information in order to respond to societal 
questions and challenges is of the greatest importance in the marine and maritime field. From that 
respect, an integrated approach that encompasses environmental, socio-economic and institutional 
aspects of the coast and sea is highly valuable. However, this information often is very dynamic and 
highly fragmented and usually only partly available or hard to get to.  
 
The Compendium for Coast and Sea, produced by VLIZ in cooperation with a team of experts, 
aggregates this disperse information from the Flemish and Belgian marine sciences and the marine 
and maritime fields in an objective and balanced manner. By doing so, VLIZ enables an improved 
communication within the network of marine stakeholders and enhances the visibility and 
accessibility of marine research. A revised issue of the Compendium for Coast and Sea is released 
every three years. A new edition is currently in the works and will become available in late 2018. It 
will feature completely revised and additional content to comply with the renewed VLIZ mandate but 
also with the aim to better accommodate its end-users. This will translate, amongst other things, into 
brand new products like a new digital portal for marine data (Het Kustportaal) and a new publication 
on key figures and trends at the community level (Het Kustzakboekje). Furthermore, attention is given 
to a thorough structural refurbishment of the Compendium for Coast and Sea in order to even better 
accommodate its target audience and improve user-friendliness when dealing with marine-maritime 
knowledge and data. 
  


The Compendium for Coast and Sea

Mascart, T.

Tkint, T.

Roelofs, M.

Verstraeten, T.

Vanreusel, A.

Deprez, T.

 49 
MarineTraining.eu – Towards tomorrow’s new blue challenges in 
Europe's Marine and Maritime education landscape 
Mascart Thibaud, Tim Tkint, Marleen Roelofs, Tim Verstraeten, Ann Vanreusel and Tim Deprez 
Marine Biology Research Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, Gent, 
Belgium 
E-mail: thibaud.mascart@ugent.be  
 
Currently, a skills gap exists between the marine and maritime industry sector and graduated 
workforces from higher education and vocational training. In order to bridge that blue growth gap, 
the Belgian node of  the European Marine Biological Resource Centre - a distributed European 
Research Infrastructure Cluster (EMBRC-ERIC, of which Belgium is an associate partner through Ghent 
University, University of Hasselt, Royal Belgian institute of natural sciences and the Flanders Marine 
Institute) has set up a platform that brings together all available marine trainings at a European scale, 
and provides a series of services towards training organizers and policy makers. 
 
This comprehensive database focusses on higher education institutes (both universities and university 
colleges) and collects existing marine training initiatives for each country, ranging from master and 
doctoral programmes, to expert trainings and specialist courses. The platform is expanding gradually 
by including also non-accredited training initiatives (for instance, research institutes and industries) 
and via involvement in other European projects and networks. Services in the Marine Training Platform 
include advertising possibilities, practical services to trainees and training organizers (application and 
registration) and the support of marine dedicated e-learning initiatives. 
 
 Consequently, the Marine Training Platform will enhance competitiveness and innovation capacity of 
the maritime and maritime value chain by filling specific skills´ gaps between education offer and 
industry needs, in particular to processes, which are critical for ensuring sustainable growth and to 
increase employability and the capacity of the blue growth sector to retain qualified workers and 
attract new talents. 
 
In other words, the Marine Training Platform is the one-stop-shop  
- for trainees in search of European Marine and Maritime training initiatives,  
- for trainers in search of assistance for organizing European Marine and Maritime training initiatives, 
- for stakeholders in search of insights into European Marine and Maritime training initiatives.  
 
For more information: www.marinetraining.eu 
 
Keywords: education; training; marine; maritime; blue growth; EMBRC  


MarineTraining.eu - Towards tomorrow's new blue challenges in Europe's Marine and Maritime education landscape

Van Puyvelde, K.

 63 
MSc in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management 
Van Puyvelde Karolien 
VUB, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel 
E-mail: oceansandlakes@vub.be  
 
The 2-year master of science programme in “Master in Marine and Lacustrine Science and 
Management” (in short: “Oceans & Lakes”) addresses students with a background in Sciences. Oceans 
& Lakes is an inter-university programme organized by the Faculty of Sciences of Vrije Universiteit 
Brussel, Universiteit Antwerpen and Universiteit Gent. 
 
It provides students with strong fundamental and applied knowledge and prepares them for an active 
role in scientific research and management of marine and lacustrine systems. The programme 
provides insight into the diversity and complexity of life and processes in oceans, lakes and estuaries. 
It adopts a multidisciplinary approach integrating physical, chemical geological, ecological and 
societal aspects and including nature conservation and sustainable development. 
 
  


MSc in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management

Deneudt, K.

Dekeyzer, S.

 64 
ASSEMBLE-Plus: promoting access to the EMBRC marine stations and 
laboratories 
Verstraeten Tim
1
, Deneudt Klaas
2
, Dekeyzer Stefanie
2
 and Vanreusel Ann
2
 
1
  Marine Biology Research Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 
Gent, Belgium 
 E-mail: tim.verstraeten@ugent.be 
2
  Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), InnovOcean site, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Ostend, Belgium 
 
ASSEMBLE Plus is a project to stimulate European fundamental and applied research excellence in 
marine biology and ecology, thereby improving our knowledge and technology-base for the 
European bioeconomy, policy shaping and education. The project brings together 32 marine 
stations and institutes with modern research infrastructures and track-records of unique service 
provision, from 14 European and two associated countries, under the leadership of the European 
Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC). For the Belgian node of EMBRC, VLIZ is a partner to the 
project, with Ghent University as a linked third party. 
 
The sum of the actions envisaged in ASSEMBLE Plus, including Access, Networking and Research will 
ultimately increase the number of users of marine biological stations and shape novel strategic 
development perspectives of the partners, to be based on effective integration and 
efficient complementarities, resulting in a key contribution to their long-term sustainability. 
 
One of the actions to complete this goal is to offer free-of-charge transnational access (TA) to research 
infrastructures towards the research community. Over the lifetime of the project, 7 calls will be 
launched to provide access to a total of 32 marine stations in 16 countries. The stations provide 
access to a high diversity of marine environments; from the high Arctic and Antarctic to the tropics 
and the mid-Atlantic ridge. Within mainland Europe, access is provided to the Mediterranean, the 
Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. Habitats comprise estuaries, mega-tidal seas, cold-water coral reefs, 
brackish seas and sea ice communities, near-shore deep sea, and volcanic seeps. 
 
The TA-providing stations have modern research laboratories and a wide array of specialized research 
facilities to support internal and external users. Several of these also have technological backup of 
nearby university institutions. Facilities include sampling and field access, biochemical and biological 
analysis, maintenance and culture of organisms, microscopy, molecular biology and bioinformatics. 
Biological resources encompass culture collections and bio-specimen banks. 
 
More information about the project and the specific timing for these transnational access calls can be 
found at http://www.assembleplus.eu/ 
 
Keywords: transnational access; EMBRC; ESFRI; H2020; research infrastructures; ASSEMBLE-Plus  


ASSEMBLE-Plus: promoting access to the EMBRC marine stations and laboratories

Dehnhard, N.

Achurch, H.

Clarke, J.

Kawaguchi, S.

Michel, L

Southwell, C.

Walters, A.

Eens, M.

 34 
Foraging distribution, habitat preferences and diet of Antarctic 
petrels, cape petrels and southern fulmars – inter-specific overlap as 
a consequence of high environmental variability?   
Dehnhard Nina
1
, Achurch Helen
2
, Clarke Judy
2
, Kawaguchi So
2
, Michel Loïc
3
, Southwell Colin
3
, Walters 
Andrea
4
 and Eens Marcel
4 
1
  Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 
Wilrijk-Antwerp, Belgium 
 E-mail: nina.dehnhard@uantwerpen.be 
2
 Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston TAS 7050, Australia 
3
  Laboratory of Oceanology, University of Liége, B6C, Allée du 6 Août 15, Quartier Agora, Sart-
Tilman, 4000 Liége, Belgium 
4
  Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, IMAS Waterfront Building, 20 
Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, TAS 7004, Australia 
 
Ecological theory predicts sympatric species to show different habitat or dietary preferences as a 
strategy to avoid competition. In a world with rising CO2 concentrations, knowledge about the 
foraging habitat and diet of species is crucial to understand potential impacts of climate-change on 
populations, species and communities. Antarctic fulmarine petrels form a group of closely related, 
sympatrically breeding species which are predicted to face changes in sea ice dynamics, ocean 
temperatures and wind conditions in the future, while little is known about their current summer 
foraging behaviour. 
 
In 2015/16 we investigated the foraging behaviour and diet of southern fulmars (Fulmarus 
glacialoides), Antarctic petrels (Thalassoica antarctica) and cape petrels (Daption capense) breeding 
sympatrically on Hop Island (68.82°S, 77.68°E) in the Prydz Bay region (East Antarctica). 
 
Using lightweight GPS loggers, we recorded a total of 270 foraging trips, covering the entire 2015/16 
breeding season from incubation to late chick-rearing in all three species, including multiple foraging 
trips made by several individuals. Blood, feather and egg membranes were collected from the same 
species, and complemented by prey items obtained in the foraging area during a marine science 
voyage in the 2015/16 austral summer. 
 
Foraging locations were identified using wet/dry data recorded by the GPS loggers and Expectation-
Maximization Binary Clustering (EMbC). We present the species’ foraging distribution during the 
different breeding stages and identify habitat characteristics (bathymetry, sea ice concentration, 
chlorophyll among others) to determine whether these Southern Ocean predators share foraging ‘hot-
spots’ or if they segregate their foraging activities. Consistency of individuals in their foraging 
behaviour (e.g. to visit specific areas or show preferences for specific environmental conditions) was 
also investigated. In addition, stable isotopes were used to explore the dietary overlap between the 
three seabird species using isotopic niche parameterisation and estimates of resource use through 
mixing models. 
 
Our results indicate a strong overlap of the foraging locations of all three species at the population 
level throughout the entire breeding season. Similarly, stable isotope values reflecting the birds’ diet 
during pre-laying, incubation and chick-rearing show a strong overlap among species. Finally, we 
found no individual specialisation in foraging behaviour or habitat characteristics. We will discuss our 
results in the light of high environmental variability which favours an opportunistic foraging behaviour 
and food generalists.    
 
Keywords: Antarctica; foraging behaviour; GPS-tracking; seabirds; stable isotopes  


Foraging distribution, habitat preferences and diet of Antarctic petrels, cape petrels and southern fulmars - inter-specific overlap as a consequence of high environmental variability?

Mavrfaki, N.

Degraer, S.

Vanaverbeke, J.

 20 
Food web structure of fouling communities along the ecological 
zonation of artificial hard substrates in a North Sea offshore wind 
farm 
Mavraki Ninon
1
, Degraer Steven
2
 and Vanaverbeke Jan
2-3 
1
  Marine Ecology and Management, Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Royal Belgian 
Institute of Natural Sciences, 3de en 23ste Linieregimentsplein, 8400 Oostende, Belgium 
 E-mail: nmavraki@naturalsciences.be 
2
  Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, 
Gulledelle 100, 1200 Brussels, Belgium 
3
  Marine Biology Research Group, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 - S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium 
 
Man-made structures provide habitat for sessile organisms altering the natural biodiversity. This 
alteration impacts both ecosystem structure and ecological functioning, e.g. food web interactions. 
An understanding of trophic linkages among organisms is a fundamental requirement to explain 
energy flow from primary carbon fixation to higher trophic levels and provide a mean to investigate 
how man-made structures impact ecosystem functioning. The aim of this study is to describe the 
structural and functional food web characteristics at different ecological depth zones along a wind 
turbine. Fouling organisms were collected at the intertidal, Mytilus edulis, Jassa herdmani and 
Metridium dianthus zones, and on the erosion protection layer (EPL) and the nearby soft substrate. 
Food sources (water particulate organic matter, plankton) and mobile predators were sampled from 
the surrounding water column. All organisms were identified at the lowest possible taxonomic level 
and were processed for stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N). The results indicated that the food web 
structure is changing along different ecological zones; the largest standard ellipse area (SEA) was 
formed by the EPL community (16.81 ‰2) and the smallest one by the intertidal community (5.06 ‰2). 
Overlaps between the ellipses were estimated and it was found that the intertidal zone had the lowest 
overlap with all other communities. In contrast, the soft sediment community had the highest overlap 
SEA with all the other groups but no clear depth-related pattern was revealed. Based on SEAB, the 
probability that the SEA of Mytilus edulis zone is smaller than the SEA of EPL was found 100%. Variation 
in the highest trophic position in the different zones was large and ranged between 6.59 (Trisopterus 
luscus in the EPL) and 4.37 (Homarus gammarus in the soft substrate). The range in trophic positions 
within each zone was again highest in the EPL community (2.36 - 6.59), the narrowest range was 
observed for the intertidal community (1.89 - 3.33).  The species-specific study revealed the trophic 
plasticity of some species, such as Metridium dianthus and Ophiothrix fragilis, which shift food 
sources and trophic positions depending on the zone they inhabit. This study provides fundamental 
knowledge on the food web structure along a wind turbine and gives innovative information about 
the homogeneity of the trophic structure of fouling communities along the ecological zones formed 
at a 25 m depth. 
 
Keywords: stable isotope analysis; marine food chain; artificial hard substrates  


Food web structure of fouling communities along the ecological zonation of artificial hard substrates in a North Sea offshore wind farm

Westmeijer, G.

Everaert, G.

De Clerck, O.

Vandegehuchte, M.

 31 
Habitat suitability modelling of macroalgae with a mechanistic 
approach 
Westmeijer George
1
, Everaert Gert
1
, Pirlet Hans
1
, De Clerck Olivier
2
 and Vandegehuchte Michiel
2 
1 
Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), InnovOcean site, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Ostend, Belgium 
 E-mail: george.westmeijer@vliz.be 
2
  Phycology Research Group, Biology Department, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S8), 9000 
Ghent, Belgium 
 
Intertidal, macroalgal species in the North-Atlantic are vulnerable to climate change and species that 
lack an adaptive capacity to the rising temperatures will either go extinct of migrate north to a more 
suitable habitat. Many intertidal macroalgae function as ecosystem engineer, a range shift therefore 
has the potential to disturb the intertidal community and to initiate changes that resonate throughout 
the entire marine ecosystem. To assess a potential range shift of macroalgae, their habitat suitability 
in the European marine environment was predicted, as well as the evolution of this habitat suitability 
by 2100. To predict the habitat suitability, we used a mechanistic model comprising physiological 
optima and –thresholds, reported in literature, and applied this model to environmental data. 
Variables included in the mechanistic model are sea surface temperature, surface salinity, 
photosynthetically active radiation, nitrate concentration, turbidity and surface temperature of the 
warmest month. Using a mechanistic model enables to do predictions outside the environmental 
range where the species is presently distributed. This is highly relevant for climate change scenarios. 
The model was validated by comparing the predicted habitat suitability with distribution records from 
the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. For example, for the red algae Chondrus crispus, no 
presences were recorded on locations with a low habitat suitability (< 0.4). Most presences (> 85%) 
corresponded with a high predicted habitat suitability (> 0.6). Climate change was modelled by using 
the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP), adopted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
Change. For Chondrus crispus the most optimal habitat is predicted to migrate 160 km north by 2100 
under the most optimistic climate change scenario, RCP 2.6. This migration is 375 kilometers by 2100 
under the more pessimistic climate change scenario, RCP 6.0. 
 
The results of this research may aid in the decision making process on the location for the aquaculture 
of certain seaweed species. To make the habitat suitability map relevant for aquacultural purposes, 
spatial planning of the marine environment was added to the model and the depth of the water 
column was taken into account. Eight macroalgae were modelled so far but this selection is likely to 
expand in the near future. 
 
Keywords: mechanistic modelling; physiological thresholds; species distribution models; climate 
change; marine macroalgae; Chondrus crispus 


Habitat suitability modelling of macroalgae with a mechanistic approach

De Blok, R.

Debusschere, E.

Tyberghein, L.

Mortelmans, J.

Hernandez, F.

Sabbe, K.

Vyverman, W.

 79 
Phytoplankton dynamics in the Belgian coastal zone monitored with a 
Cytosense flowcytometer 
De Blok Reinhoud
1
, Debusschere Elisabeth
2
, Tyberghein Lennert
2
, Mortelmans Jonas
2
, Hernandez 
Francisco
2
, Deneudt Klaas
2
, Sabbe Koen
2
 and Vyverman Wim
2 
1
  Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 
281-S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium 
E-mail: reinhoud.deblok@ugent.be  
2
  Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), InnovOcean site, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Ostend, Belgium 
 
Phytoplankton is a diverse group of photosynthesizing organisms which are accountable for roughly 
50% of the primary production on earth. A subset of these phytoplankton species are capable of 
forming harmful algal blooms (HABs), for example the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis, which occurs in 
the Belgian coastal zone (BCZ). During HABs phycotoxins can be produced that may result in massive 
fish kills and pose a risk for human health. Furthermore, HABs can cause depletion of oxygen and 
block available sunlight for other organisms through their rapid growth. Detailed monitoring data of 
phytoplankton collected in the BCZ provides the opportunity to study phytoplankton dynamics in this 
area and environmental parameters potentially involved in HABs. From 2016 onwards, the Cytosense 
flowcytometer (FCM) has been used to monitor phytoplankton in the BCZ. This device is present on 
the research vessel Simon Stevin and is capable of semi-continuous automatic sampling. Species size, 
shape and fluorescence characteristics of the phytoplankton were recorded along sailed transects 
(30-60 minutes between samples). These parameters were used to calculate biomass and cluster 
phytoplankton groups using specialized software (Easyclus, Thomas Rutten projects). Also at 17 fixed 
monitoring stations samples were collected and analysed for additional environmental parameters 
(e.g. nutrients, physical variables). Phytoplankton clusters within 250m of the fixed monitoring 
stations were linked to the data collected at the station, to enable comparison. Bayesian network 
models (BNM) were used to analyse the data and determine the relevance of different potential 
explanatory parameters. The 2016 monitoring data revealed an intense Phaeocystis bloom in the 
spring, but also a small bloom at the end of summer on the stations near the outflow of the Scheldt 
estuary. Both phytoplankton and environmental parameters showed a strong seasonal effect. The 
BNM showed a substantial correlation between nitrogen and bloom magnitude. There was also a 
strong link between nitrate/nitrite concentrations and the phytoplankton diversity. Phytoplankton 
diversity and salinity were related to biomass. Overall there was higher phytoplankton diversity and 
total zooplankton near the outflow of the Scheldt estuary. The outflow of nutrient rich water from the 
Scheldt estuary results in locally higher phytoplankton diversity and biomass. In this area, also a small 
Phaeocystis bloom was observed in autumn. The innovative monitoring in the BCZ with the Cytosense 
FCM results in large databases of phytoplankton composition with a high spatial and temporal 
resolution. BNM provide a promising tool to investigate potential associations between phytoplankton 
and environmental parameters in these complex databases. High resolution monitoring data is 
important to study short and long term trends in phytoplankton diversity and the effects of pollution, 
eutrophication or climate change, for example, on the marine ecosystem. 
 
Keywords: Cytosense; flowcytometry; Belgian coastal zone; Phaeocystis; Bayesian network models  


Phytoplankton dynamics in the Belgian coastal zone monitored with a Cytosense flowcytometer

Decorte, G.

Monbaliu, J.

 82 
Dynamic response of a floating offshore wind turbine structure to 
extreme wave loading in nonlinear, directional seas. 
Decorte Griet and Monbaliu Jaak 
Hydraulics Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 40, 3001 
Heverlee, Belgium 
E-mail: griet.decorte@kuleuven.be  
 
The large amounts of greenhouse gases set free by the use of fossil fuels have already a tremendous 
impact on the weather extremes. 2017 was one of the top three warmest years and, already, the start 
of 2018 is marked by extremely low temperatures on the whole East Coast of the US, caused by a so-
called “bomb cyclone” (World Meteorological Organization, 2017, 2018). As further climate change 
puts our societies at risk, the transition to renewable energy resources must be fast. Due to its high 
resource availability and high technology readiness level, wind energy remains the most promising to 
facilitate this transition (Esteban et al., 2011; Green & Vasilakos, 2011). As offshore wind turbines are 
currently founded on the sea floor, their installation is limited to water depths smaller than 50m. In 
order to extend their application to deeper waters with larger wind energy potential, floating offshore 
wind turbines (FOWTs) are strongly recommended (Bilgili et al., 2011; Breton & Moe, 2009). 
 
Currently, the design of FOWTs is solely based upon the elaborate experience from the oil and gas 
industry in designing floating rigs. As FOWTs are, due to their specific architecture, more susceptible 
to higher-order wave loading, the current design practices do not properly account for their 
hydrodynamic response to highly nonlinear extreme wave events. Also, as the current numerical 
models, which also stem from these proven practices, lack the ability to model these higher-order 
nonlinearities, they cannot fully represent the complex dynamic nature of FOWTs (Roald et al., 2013). 
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is able to overcome these difficulties and has shown to be 
promising in modelling wave loading on monopile-founded offshore wind turbines (Higuera et al., 
2013; Jacobsen et al., 2008; Paulsen, 2013). Unfortunately, these CFD models remain computationally 
demanding in cases that imply large spatial and temporal domains and 3-D (mesh) motion, which are 
typical for the case considered. 
 
Therefore, this doctoral research will contribute to a more safe and efficient FOWT design by 
improving the assessment of extreme wave loading on FOWTs. To this end, a one-way coupling 
between a higher-order spectral model, which represents the far-field where the wave field can attain 
its nonlinearity characteristic for extreme waves, and a 3-D CFD model, which models the near-field 
where the wave-structure interaction takes place, will be set-up. Additionally, this approach will be 
validated by experimental results. 
 
Currently, an overset mesh approach is used to model the 3-D mesh motion. Although the first results 
are reasonable and come at an acceptable cost, they suffer from interpolation errors. Ultimately, a 
trade-off between accuracy and cost will be made out of several more approaches. 
 
References 
 
- Bilgili, M., Yasar, A., & Simsek, E. (2011). Offshore wind power development in Europe and its 
comparison with onshore counterpart. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(2), 905-
9015. 
- Breton, S., & Moe, G. (2009). Status, plans and technologies for offshore wind turbines in Europe 
and North America. Renewable energy, 34(3), 646-654. 
- Esteban, M., Diez, J., López, J., & Negro, V. (2011). Why offshore wind energy? Renewable Energy, 
36(2), 444-450. 
- Green, R., & Vasilakos, N. (2011). The economics of offshore wind. Energy Policy, 39(2), 196-502. 
- Higuera, P., Lara, J., & Losada, I. (2013). Realistic wave generation and active wave absorption for 
Navier-Stokes models application to OpenFOAM. Coastal Engineering (71), 102-118. 
- Jacobsen, N., Fuhrman, D., & Fredsoe, J. (2008). A wave generation toolbox for the open-source 
CFD library: OpenFOAM. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 601-629. 
- Paulsen, B. T. (2013). Efficient computations of wave loads on offshore structures. Ph.D. Thesis, 
DTU Denmark. 
- Roald, L., Jonkman, J., Robertson, A., & Chokani, N. (2013). The Effect of Second-order 
Hydrodynamics on Floating Offshore Wind Turbines. Energy Procedia, 35, 253-264. 
- World Meteorological Organization. (2017, November). WMO statement on the State of the Global 
 83 
Climate in 2017. Retrieved from World Meteorological Organization: 
https://public.wmo.int/en/wmo-statement-state-of-global-climate-2017. 
- World Meteorological Organization. (2018, January 8). Start of 2018 marked by extreme weather. 
Retrieved from World Meteorogical Organization: https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/start-of-
2018-marked-extreme-weather. 
 
Keywords: floating offshore wind; extreme wave loading; computational fluid dynamics; 3-D mesh 
motion; higher-order spectral method; overset mesh  


Dynamic response of a floating offshore wind turbine structure to extreme wave loading in nonlinear, directional seas

El Adak, Y.

Keleman, P.-J.

Vande Velde, K.

Dahdouh-Guebas, F.

 86 
Let’s integrate the voice of citizens into decision analysis - 
prioritizing social-economic and social-ecological objectives within 
mangrove management in Johor, Malaysia 
El Adak Yousri, Keleman Pieter-Jan, Vande Velde Katherine and Dahdouh-Guebas Farid 
Systems Ecology and Resource Management, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Koolmijnlaan 130, 3530 
Houthalen, Belgium  
E-mail: yousri.el.adak@vub.be  
 
Mangroves form a unique coastal wetland type that has been identified as one of the key life support 
systems, providing valuable natural resources and ecosystem services for both animal and human 
populations. Despite their importance, mangrove ecosystems are being destroyed three to five times 
faster than any other forest type. Our study will focus on mangrove management in the southern 
state of Johor in Malaysia, which encompasses a total of approximately 20,533 ha of mangrove 
forests. Malaysia is identified as problematic region and hotspot for mangrove deforestation, linked 
to aquaculture as well as reclamation for agriculture and infrastructure expansion (e.g. Iskandar 
Malaysia). The rapid loss of mangroves in favour of economic development highlights the importance 
of appropriate management and conservation strategies. However, obtaining such management 
strategies requires congruence among stakeholders and due to different and often conflicting 
interests, this is easier said than done. Incentivization is crucial to make sure ecosystem goods and 
services will be handled in a sustainable manner for generations to come, and efficiently including all 
stakeholders in the policy-making process is imperative. Decision making in mangrove management 
and conservation while remaining inclusive towards stakeholder and actor perspectives, can be 
facilitated through Decision Analysis. This is a methodology that facilitates decision makers to select 
the best out of several alternative management options. This decision is based on how well the 
alternatives meet stakeholder values and perspectives, which are integrated in the form of ‘objectives’ 
(e.g. ecological, socio-ecological and socio-economic objectives). In this research we focus on the 
crucial and often underestimated step in Decision Analysis of identifying and prioritizing social-
economic and social-ecological objectives of local citizens affected by mangrove management plans, 
a crucial stakeholder group. We aim to do this by using the Q-methodology (QM) where respondents 
are asked to rank statements relative to their own values and perspectives along an ordinal scale, 
ranging from -3 (strongly disagree) over 0 (no opinion or too sensitive to rank) to +3 (strongly agree). 
We will conduct the survey using random stratified sampling of respondents in settlements adjacent 
to mangrove forest in Johor, mainly near the Sungai Pulai and the Sungai Johor river basin. This will 
include different social-economic settings, including rural and peri-urban settlements.  
 
The primary objectives of this research can be summarized by the following three questions: 
 
1. Which socio-economic and socio-ecological objectives (means and process objectives) are most 
important when it comes to mangrove management and conservation in rural settings? 
2. Which socio-economic and socio-ecological objectives (means and process objectives) are most 
important when it comes to mangrove management and conservation in urban settings? 
3. Are socio-economic objectives considered more important than socio-ecological objectives by 
local inhabitants affected by the decision analysis? 
 
Ultimately, the overarching aim of this research is to do this in a repeatable way and design an 
adaptable Decision Analysis framework that can be applied in varied mangrove settings. 
 
Keywords: mangrove conservation; Malaysia; Q-methodology; rural communities; decision analysis 
 
  


Let's integrate the voice of citizens into decision analysis - prioritizing social-economic and social-ecological objectives within mangrove management in Johor, Malaysia

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